Lactuca sativa
( Sierra Lettuce )

‘Sierra’ is a French crisp/Batavia lettuce which is generally ready for harvest 75 days after sowing. This plant is bright green with a tinge of red in cool weather. Matures to harvest into an iceberg-type head. Resistant to bolting and tipburn as well as many mildew races. ‘Sierra’ also will form additional heads once the first primary head is harvested. Start from seed 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost date. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in wide rows and thin to 8 to 12 inches apart. Thinned seedlings can be replanted. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Protect from rabbits and slugs. Extend the harvest season by planting successive crops. Summer heat causes lettuce to bolt. Pick outer leaves as they grow or harvest all at once. Harvesting when weather or day temperature is cooler will result in crisper leaves. Do not harvest lettuces until you are ready to use it.

Plant Care

Fertilizing

Light

Conditions : Full to Partial Sun

Full sunlight is needed for many plants to assume their full potential. Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight, although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant. Areas on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest. The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together, shadows are cast from neighboring properties. Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day. Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of sun, but more than 3 hours. Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates. Know the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!

Watering

Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor Plants

Normal watering means that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly, as conditions require. Most plants like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season, but take care not to over water. The first two years after a plant is installed, regular watering is important for establishment. The first year is critical. It is better to water once a week and water deeply, than to water frequently for a few minutes.

Planting

How-to : Preparing Garden Beds

Use a soil testing kit to determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil before beginning any garden bed preparation. This will help you determine which plants are best suited for your site. Check soil drainage and correct drainage where standing water remains. Clear weeds and debris from planting areas and continue to remove weeds as soon as they come up.

A week to 10 days before planting, add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage. If soil composition is weak, a layer of topsoil should be considered as well. No matter if your soil is sand or clay, it can be improved by adding the same thing: organic matter. The more, the better; work deep into the soil. Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials. This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now, but will greatly pay off later. Besides, this is not something that is easily done later, once plants have been established.

Problems

Pest : Slugs and Snails

Begin looking for slugs and snails so that you may set traps.

Miscellaneous

Glossary : Annual

An annual is any plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

Glossary : Edibles

An edible is a plant that has a part or all of it that can be safely consumed in some way.